Ones To Watch 2017 (Part 2) - GigslutzGigslutz

The beginning of a new year, a time to celebrate new music. As we leave 2016 behind, the editorial team here at Gigslutz have chosen some of the bands and artists we’re most excited about for the upcoming year.

As there’s so much new music we’re looking forward to, we’ve had to split our choices into two parts! So, here’s Part two of our Ones To Watch In 2017… Have a read and keep your eyes/ears peeled for these incredible bands and artists this year.

The Van T’s
Since I first saw them supporting Gigslutz favourites Hawk at The Victoria early last year, Scottish band The Van T’s instantly captured my attention. Formed of twin sisters Hannah and Chloe Van Thompson, along with Shaun Hood and Joanna Forbes, the surf-rock inspired ensemble had a pretty successful 2016 – with festival slots at T In The Park and Electric Fields, as well as supporting the likes of Honeyblood and Ratboy – but I am certain that this year will see the band headed for even bigger things.

With the release of their fantastic latest EP – A Coming Of Age – last year, and infectious tracks such as ‘Blood Orange’ and ‘Fun Garcon’, The Van T’s make it impossible for you to turn your ears away from their wonderfully scuzzy and endearingly energetic, grunge-fused brand of surf-rock.

If you haven’t yet been introduced to The Van T’s, prepare to fall in love in 2017.

(Mari Lane – Editor)

Let’s Eat Grandma
A festival slot at Field Day, a European tour, and a performance on Later With Jools Holland are achievements most teenagers can only dream of. For Norwich duo Let’s Eat Grandma however, they’re becoming commonplace – and rightly so.

Childhood friends Rosa & Jenny create menacingly sweet electronic tunes that range from the melancholy ‘Deep Six Text Book’ to the madly catchy ‘Eat Shitake Mushrooms’. Their live performances are as hypnotic as their debut album I, Gemini, so make sure you catch them in 2017 if you get the chance.

(Kate Crudgington – Assistant Editor)

The Garage Flowers
After months of battling – in their own words – “illness, homelessness, fried chicken addiction and genital warts,” the latter half of 2016 saw London lads The Garage Flowers burst back onto the scene with their single ‘Miss Maggie May’.

With a London comeback show set for 21st January, The Garage Flowers have trudged through the shit, come out the other side, and are ready to kill it in 2017.

(Melissa Svensen – Assistant Editor)

Blonde Maze
Since having the pleasure of having her as a guest on our Get In Her Ears show last year, New York-based Blonde Maze has swiftly become one of my most listened-to artists. Following her majestic 2015 EP Oceans, she has just recently released twinkling new track ‘Antarctica’, receiving praise from a number of music blogs as well as getting airplay on BBC Radio 1.

Oozing delicate, pulsating melodies and smooth, infectious vocal samples, each captivating, emotion-strewn indie-electro creation offered by Blonde Maze is a wonderfully soothing sonic delight. And I can’t wait to hear what she has in store for us next.

(ML)

Baby In Vain
The Copenhagen trio released their EP For The Kids earlier this year, and with tracks like moody opener ‘Martha’s View’ it took me approximately 10.3 seconds to fall in love with them. Mari & I caught them at one of the two free shows they played at Birthdays in Dalston, and their loud guitars and intense drumming made the gig one of my favourites of the year.

I hope they return to the UK in 2017 and release more of their corrosive, heavy, hypnotic sound on future EPs.

(KC)

Dream Nails
Another band you may have heard me mention once or twice before… Having played our Blogtober event, been guests on our Get In Her Ears radio show and being featured as one of our favourite newcomers last year, ‘Feminist Punk Witches From Hell’ – aka Dream Nails – look set to continue to take on the world in 2017.

As well as plenty of Gigslutz love, they’ve received acclaim from Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music and have wowed crowds across the country with their wonderfully impassioned and energy-fuelled live performances.

With the creation of new DIY videos and more exciting news in the pipeline, I’ve no doubt that Dream Nails will continue to inspire and motivate all who come across their ferocious passion and fantastically politically-charged tunes this year.

Read more about my love of these awesome women here.

(ML)

The Americas
The Americas won our Best Newcomer of 2016 with only one track under their belts so they must be doing something right. They released ‘Tenth Day of May’ in November, and describe it as “music to ride a motorcycle to”. I couldn’t say it any better. Think rock ‘n’ roll but brought up to date a bit, but still obviously with that Midlands charm.

If you’re a fan of anything slightly old school, then keep an eye on The Americas this year. They already sound like they’ve been doing it for years, so 2017 will just see things get better.

(Becky Rogers – News Editor)

Strange Collective
You know when you hear a band for the first time and think ‘how have I not heard these before now?’ Well, you’ll probably have that with Strange Collective. The Liverpudlians’ somewhat psych-tinged garaged rock hits the sweet spot between feet-movingly catchy and mosh-pit-provoking heavy.

Last year’s Super Touchy EP was killer and by starting the year at an all-dayer alongside the likes of Goat Girl, Kagoule, Cabbage, Hookworms, Eagulls and The Fall, 2017 promises big things.

(Rob Conlon – Reviews Assistant)

Girl Ray
Having toured with the likes of Let’s Eat Grandma, received plenty of airplay from BBC 6Music and performed a special Maida Vale live session, I picked London band Girl Ray’s latest track ‘Trouble’ as one of my favourites from last year, and my excitement for the band just keeps growing.

With chilled vocals and sumptuous harmonies, the wonderfully scuzzy, impossibly catchy “off-kilter pop” that Girl Ray create will linger in your ears long after first listen, and will leave you eagerly awaiting what sunny delights they have in store for us in 2017.

(ML)

Isaac Gracie
I bored friends and family with my lamentations about the beauty of Isaac Gracie’s voice throughout 2016, and 2017 will be no different.

I was swept away by his ‘Last Words’ when I scrolled across his name on The Great Escape Festival’s website earlier this year, and I’ve seen him live three times since then. He’s toured across the country solo, and supported Michael Kiwanuka during a number of his sold out gigs. Oh, and Lucy Rose named him as a favourite British artist in a complimentary Facebook post too.

Whilst his EP Songs In Black & White is a stunning example of his ability to write heart-cracking ballads, I’m looking forward to a full-length album that I can cry along to in 2017.

(KC)

Superglu
At risk of sounding like a broken record, I couldn’t not include Manningtree’s finest in my list of bands I’m most excited about in 2017. With last year seeing the release of Superglu’s debut EP, as well as the band headlining the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds festivals, they are now set to play SXSW in March this year.

There is a reason that Superglu are becoming just so popular; as well as their wonderfully infectious energy and skill for writing hugely catchy tracks, their live shows are spectacular and should not be missed. Once American festival goers get to see just how incredible they are, I’ve no doubt that this Essex band will be taking the world by storm in 2017.